The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-13
A Sermon on the Labor Movement.

Rev r. V. Hunter, of the Seventh Presby-
terrain Church, preached the first Of series Of
sermons on the labor question to a very large
congregation last night. His text eve,
then, that are strong ought to bear the infirmi-
ties Of the weak" rom. xvi, II, and Bear ye
one another's burdens, aud SO fulfill the law of
Christ" (Gal. vi. p
These two. passages" he said, contain the
principle that should lie at the base of all asso-
ciated action The passage in Romans has
reference to matters in faith and practice. Paul
holds that some things seemed wrong to the
weaker brethren. but which he and others knew
were not sinful. However, he exhorted the
brethren to whom he writing bear with
these people-let the strong make.a sacrifice for
the weak. There were things which Paul could
DO in which there was no sin, but which. done by
other people would be TO them sin. For their sake
Raul would refuse. This idea is beautiful. tits
the highest form of human brotherhood The
strong will bear the infirmities of the weak as
Paul puts it. Labor organization means the
improved condition of the masses. 1t means
that the labor strata in society will be elevated.
thus lifting up the whole. To help the skilled
mechanic and those who are well-to-do would be
pulling short of the mark. All laboring people
should be benefited. Association is natural
to man and its benefits so great that it is more
and moro sought with the progress of civiliza-
ton. Isolation is weakness, but union is
strength. Unions of labor may be traced back
in European history for at least six hundred
years, and it is probable that in whatever period
or in whatever country we are able
70 find large OF laborers thrown
together, careful research will reveal
to us at least the germs of labor organizations
Many societies have been organized, both at
home and abroad. which look only to one craft.
The Knights of Labor would have federation
which would reach all classes of Iaboring people.
They have regard for the women and children
and the day laborer. In organization there is
strength. What is true of railroads. and churches.
and armies. and of federated States forming
one republic is true elso Of the many laboring
ole Re . -adr ali
and bring about legislation calculated to give
them more ease, more timefor personal improve
ment and Grander advantages. physical, moral,
Intellectual and spiritual
''It has not been many years since it was con-
sidered crime for the laborng men to organize.
Thank God. that day has passed. A has
rights in this country In this day. 1t matters
not whether he is worth million a penny.
AS a man he stands before the law and the com
munity demanding certain prerogatives and
rights. The necessity for the organization con-
templated by the Knights of Labor, and con-
templated in the far reaching plan suggested by
Uriah $. Stevens. of Philadelphia, on Thanks
giving day. in 1867. with his eight friends, can
only be understood by a survey of the various
societies which have existed in this country for
the purpose of lettering the condition OF labor
ing This labor movement is confined
almost entirely to this country"
Mr.. Hunter then gave concise review of all
the organizations inSthis country, and traced
their progress TO the present day. Concluding,
he said: What value have labor organizations
been TO the laboring classesl They have fur
thered, fostered aud enforced agitation. This has
resulted in education. Public attention has
been directed to the wants of the masses. we'll
their rights The public are becoming more
friendly to a reform that means justice. The
spirit of the golden rule is being enforced. Or
ganization is no longer looked upon treason
against society and government 1t is
better understood that labor has every
right of self protection allowed capital.
Shorter hours have been obtained.
days labor has been reduced from fifteen and
and sixteen hours rer day to ten hours in most
cases, and to nine in some. The agitation of
this subject has resulted in better wages for the
wage classes. The agitation Of this question,
through the organizations of the present century.
has resulted directing the attention of scholars
and the church to the wage-workers The
church is awakening to the necessity of applying
the gospel to the solution of the vexed question
1t realizes that its mission is to encourage, edu-
cate and do all it TO elevate the various
crafts which depend directly upon capital for
support Organized labor has a mission. 1t
will make blunders, but it will solve the prob
lem of the relation of capital TO labor. 1t will
make the man who has labor to sell party to
the bargain rs to the wages he shall receive.
This Is being accomplished already"